December 14, (THEWILL) — WWE icon, John Cena, has officially retired from professional wrestling, ending a 24-year in-ring career after his final match on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C.
The 48-year-old competed in his farewell bout at the Capital One Arena, where he was defeated by Gunther via submission in a match that lasted just under 25 minutes.
Many supporters were left stunned by the ending, as Cena, known throughout his career for rarely submitting, was forced to tap out.
After the match, several WWE superstars emerged to honour him, while fans inside the arena gave Cena a standing ovation.
Cena then left his boots and wristbands in the ring, a traditional symbol of retirement, before turning back to salute the crowd and cameras.
Cena retires as a record-breaking 17-time world champion, the most recognised title reigns in WWE history. He also headlined WrestleMania six times and is widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
He made his WWE debut in 2002 and rose to superstardom after adopting the “Doctor of Thuganomics” persona.
His trademark “You Can’t See Me” catchphrase became one of the most recognisable slogans in sports entertainment.
Cena announced his retirement in July 2024, citing physical strain, and later confirmed he would remain part of WWE after signing a five-year ambassadorial deal.
Beyond wrestling, Cena has built a successful acting career, becoming one of the most prominent WWE stars to transition into Hollywood.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
